Manaia Bone Heru - 224mm

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Manaia Bone Heru - XL. Heru, used by Maori to fasten long hair into a top knot. These also identified the rank of the wearer and were usually carved from a single piece of whale bo ne or wood and on occasion decorated with paua shell. These days many bone carvings are made from cattle bone as it is an ethically abundant source. The Manaia is a bearer of great spiritual energy and is a guardian against evil. The Manaia is traditionally believed to be the messenger between the earthly world of mortals and the domain of the spirits. The Manaia is usually depicted as having the head of a bird and the body of a serpent and a tail of a fish, though it is sometimes depicted as a bird, a serpent, or a human figure in profile. Other interpretations include a seahorse and a lizard. The Manaia is a mythological creature in Maori culture and is a common motif in Maori carving and jewellery. Size Approx 224 H x 45mm W. Maori Inspired Design. Cattle Bone and Paua Shell. We photograph each piece but a slight colour variation may occur. Show more